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John (The Powder Maker s) Three Wives

Email from Ray sometime in late 1999:

Jerry

I read your message, posted on 11/12/99, titled Reuben(s) ........How Many Are There? and was surprised to discover that you still think Polly Brawley was John (the Powder Maker)’s third wife.

I’m going to cite three documents that I have. After studying them, I think you will come to the same conclusion that I have, that John’s second wife’s surname, listed as Kelly in the Speedwell books by Edward’s & the Claiborne Co History book, is another example of the mistakes made in recording Rogers history in Claiborne Co. I believe that between Polly’s death (ca. 1810-1815) and the Rogers recording it on paper the surname Brawley evolved into Kelly.

I believe that in Tennessee at that time, a minor child over the age of fourteen could choose their own guardian when their father died. If a child was under the age of fourteen the court was obligated to appoint a guardian for that child even if their mother was still living..

Record #1 After John’s death in 1822, the Claiborne County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Monday, August 11, 1823, session of the court, ordered that David Rogers be appointed the guardian of Stephen, Thomas, and John F. Rogers, the minor heirs and orphans of John Rogers, deceased.

Note the three children are described as orphans, meaning their mother is also deceased.

Record #2 At this same session, James Rogers was appointed guardian of Westley and Cornalius Rogers, minor children of John Rogers, deceased. Note these children are described only as minors.

This would lead one to believe that Stephen, Thomas, and John F. are the children of John’s second wife, Polly, and Westley and Cornalius are the children of his third wife, who was still living at this time.

I have the complete Pension File of Major David Rogers. (If you don’t ask for a copy of the entire file the Archives will copy only selected pages). In this file, I found an interesting letter to the War Dept. dated January 11, 1926.

Record #3 Letter in Pension file:

"Dear Sirs,

Can you give me any information on John Rogers who located his Bounty Warrant, (for Service in Revolution) in what is now Claiborne County Tenn? I think his first wife was named Brittan at the time of Rev. and his last ones name was Hudson. He was from Va.- then went to NC later to Tenn. After Rev. lived in Claiborne Co Tenn.

I would be glad to have anything you could give me, and as early a date as convenient. P.S. married before Rev. do not know sec. wife name unless it was Moon.

Sincerely,

Miss Jennie Rogers
1021 E. Jackson Street
Charliston, Ill"

On the reverse side she has added the following:

"and can you give me anything on Walter Scott Hudson in Kentucky after Rev. One Walter Hudson from Ky was in the War of 1812. Also any record of Joseph Melton, or John Eve. Have you the 1812 War Rec. of David Rogers of Claiborne Co Tenn.

Jennie Rogers

The War Dept. personnel searched all the records she requested and only found Major David’s. That’s where they filed her letter. WHAT A GREAT FIND!!!!!!! I believe she was a descendant of either Westley or Cornalius.

Let me add one last theory I have about these wives and their children.

First wife , Brittian was married to John about 16 years. If she had a child every two years, (without multiple births) she would have a minimum of nine children.

Second wife, Brawley was married to John about 20 years. A child every two years equals a minimum of ten children.

Third wife, Hudson was probably married to John about 7 or 8 years and could have had five children.

Have I changed anyone’s opinion as to the names of John (the Powder Maker)’s wives?

If not, WHY?

Ray

May 18 2008 02:30:50